We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in
answering many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to
take a pro-active part in their own health. We believe the articles and
information contained herein are true, but are not presenting them as advice.
We, personally, have found that a whole food vegan diet has helped our own
health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have found.
Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you have
a health problem, see your own physician.

Soy protein, nuts, plant sterols, and viscous fibers have been
identified as lowering the risk of cardiovascular heart disease,
diabetes, and obesity. But according to study author David J. A.
Jenkins, M.D. of St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto,
this study is the first measure of the long-term effect of a diet rich
in these foods as compared to conventional dietary advice.

A recent study published in the August 24/31 issue of the Journal of
the American Medical Association (JAMA) has found that a vegan diet rich
in soy protein, nuts, plant sterols, and viscous fibers can
significantly reduce cholesterol.

Over a period of six months, a group of 345 Canadian volunteer
subjects maintained either a vegetarian diet low in saturated fat and
high in fiber and whole grains (the control group) or the special vegan
diet including the four foods outlined above. Of those maintaining the
special vegan diet, one group received seven counseling sessions
(intensive intervention) and another received only two counseling
sessions (routine intervention).

Soy protein, nuts, plant sterols, and viscous fibers have been
identified as lowering the risk of cardiovascular heart disease,
diabetes, and obesity. But according to study author David J. A.
Jenkins, M.D. of St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto,
this study is the first measure of the long-term effect of a diet rich
in these foods as compared to conventional dietary advice.

After six months, the LDL-C cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels of
those on the special vegan diet with intensive intervention were reduced
by an average of 13.8 percent; the levels of those with routine
intervention were reduced an average of 13.1 percent; while the levels
of those who maintained the generally “healthy” vegetarian diet were
lowered only 3 percent. Furthermore, the special vegan diet did not
significantly reduce levels of HDL-C (good cholesterol).

The researchers found that this intensive cholesterol-lowering diet
significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure. It also reduced the
10-year cardiovascular heart disease risk by 11.3 percent in those
subjects who had intensive intervention and by 10.8 percent in those who
had routine intervention, compared to just a 0.5 percent reduction in
the control group.

So what does this cholesterol-lowering vegan diet look like? Here’s
an example of a day’s worth of food:

I know what you’re thinking. What the heck is psyllium? Turns out,
it’s a pretty common dietary fiber of the genus Plantago, used in in
high-fiber breakfast cereals (yum!) and in laxatives (yuck!). Its seed
husks are used in ayurvedic medicine for things like colon cleansing and
blood circulation.

According to this study, diet alone can have significant effects
without the help of drugs or even exercise. That’s great news for people
with high cholesterol who can’t afford prescription drugs or don’t have
the time or the physical ability to exercise often. And a dietary
approach to health could significantly reduce the country’s healthcare
costs in the long run. So please pass the psyllium!

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